[Make
sure to click the Swedish links above - they contain results, participants, reports
(some in english), photos, records, sponsors and links that is quite obvoius and
self explanatory. If you do have any more questions - please do not hesitate to
contact me. Please
book your room in Ystad as soon as you know that you will run the race.]

In
1955 a group of horsemen sat by the fire and agreed that the old days were better,
when a horse could run 100 miles in one day. Wendell Robie suggested that they
should replicate the feat, and The Western States Trail Ride was born. In 1974
Gordon Ainsleigh's horse had problems so he lined up himself and finished in 23:42h.
The Western States Endurance Run has been run every year since.

100
mile-races are often held on challenging trails in spectacular nature - this race
is no exception. For the very first time, in 2006, there was a race being held
in the Nordic countries. You now have the opportunity to challenge yourself and
participate in Sweden's longest, most beautiful and toughest (?) race ever!

The gax 100 miles starts in Ystad at Österlen - the plains in south
eastern Scania, which may be the most beautiful part of Sweden. It is rich in
ancient monuments and scenery such as Ales Stenar and the Stenshuvud Nature Reserve
- both are included in the gax 100 miles as well as a tough and very challenging
trail.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"Good
fortune with your pioneering event." - Gordon Ainsleigh, 2007

INFORMATION:

What:

The gax 100 miles is a 100
mile-race (160.9 km) with a cut off time of 32 hours.

When:

15-16 August 2009, 08:00.

How:

100 miles is a long distance
that requires a certain amount of respect, but not too long -
you can run it if you train and prepare yourself properly
(both mentally and physically). Read about how to run, train and
prepare for 100 miles here.

Fill in this registration form, copy it and mail it to me. If you don't get an answer by e-mail
- try again. Late registration: you have to pay double; apply before August 1. No entries on race day. Once payment
is received your name will appear on the participant list.

50 miles:

The 50 mile-race (80.5 km)
starts at 21:00 on the parking lot at Skepparpsgården
- it will be easy to find and you will be
guided to the
starting line - at Haväng and follows the second half
of the route. Cut off-time is 19 hours. You will spend most of
the time running at night and in the sand, hard going. Price for
this race is 350 SEK (40 EUR/60 USD). There will be only one aid
station after 48 km.

There is a bus
service to Ravlunda Kyrka which is three km (map)
from Skepparpsgården.

Some
runners rode together in cars last year - I will provide the contact
information.

Aid stations:

Your drop bags can be delivered at the start and you will have acces
to them at the aid stations. The crew will have a mobile phone
and so will you, so you can contact them if anything should happen.
We can take care of your luggage while you run. The first finishers
might have to wait for their dropbags to arrive. We will do our
best.

Stations in 2009

Open

Start

07:00-08:15

42 km

~11:30-14:30

66 km

Unmanned

80 km

~16:30-22:00

118 km

Unmanned

128 km

~23:00-10:00

Finish

?-16:00!

Water:

There are 17 possible
water sources (at approximately 24, 31, 47, 50, 69, 81, 83, 92,
101, 103, 106, 108, 116, 122, 124, 152 and 157 km - both natural
and man made) along the route besides the aid stations. Most water
sources are easy to find and usually consists of a tap - some
might be out of service or have unsuitable water though. One can
ask for water in houses along the route.

DNF:

No DNF:s - every runner is
a finisher with accomplished kilometres. However if you do decide
to leave the race and not continue runningyou have to contact race staff and it will be your
own responsibility to find a bus or taxi to get you back to the
start.

Map:

You will get a detailed black
and white copy of the route with some instructions but it is recommended
that you study the route on beforehand and bring map to the race.

Qualification:

Experience of races of 100 km/12 hours or other endurance events
to participate in the gax 100 miles. For the 50 miles you will
need to have completed a marathon, ultra or other endurance events
to participate.

Gax - TEC:

Gax and TEC
work together. One who finished the longest distance in both races
has rightfully completed The Gax - TEC Swedish Trail Challenge.
Earlier races may be accounted for.

Equipment:

Every runner must bring drinks, maps
(provided), some clothing, emergency supplies, money, cell phone
and flashlight. It is also recommended to bring extra batteries,
compass, extra clothes and other salts, fluids etc. that you usually
need. Be equipped for all kinds
of weather. Most runners manage with a waist belt.

Accomodation:

There are youth hostels in
both Ystad and Malmö as well as a wide range of hotels and more. There
is a Youth Hostel just at the start in Ystad - book in time.

Shower:

600 metres from the finish
there is a possibility to have a shower. We will provide you with
a map , it'll cost approximately 2 €.

Rules:

Cheating or littering is not
allowed. To help a fellow runner or pacing is. Participation is
at runners own risk - check out your insurance. Race staff has
the right to pull particapant out of the race.

Animals:

Sightings of cow, elk, bats,
fox, squirrel, hedgehog, corn snake, shrew, harbour porpoise,
bull, snake, stoat, lama, Higland Cattle and deer have been made
- especially in the National Parks. They are used to people but
might be more scared than you.

The route is 100 miles
(160,9 km) and passes meadows and forrests from Ystad to Simrishamn through Brösarps
backar and back to Ystad next to the sea. The route follows Skåneledens
markings all the way - it is not orienteering. The first half (80 km) would
be mostly in daylight whilst the second half (81 km) is run along the coast in
the night, in the sand, and should be finished by the morning. Here the coastline
usually is the route and no markings exist apart from when you follow other trails
a bit inland.

The normal runner should find their way without problems,
the maps are correct but at some points the route markings might be old or different.
Usually the markings are an orange ring around a tree or lamp post at eye level.
The route follows the maps of Skåneleden. Maps can be bought at any Swedish
Tourist Bureau (~130 SEK/14.5 EUR), book shops (~159 SEK/18 EUR) or on the Internet
(~150 SEK/17 EUR) - they can be found both in english and in swedish. You'll need
the following maps:xxxxx Österlenleden
(Skåneleden hiking map The Österlen trail). Scale 1:50 000.
Published by Position Skåne in xxxxxxxcooperation
with Stiftelsen för fritidsområden i Skåne [covers the last 137
km]

The route can also be found at hitta
or eniro. On the map above
Stage 21 of Nord to Sydledens, Syd is not showed. The route is as follows:

Nord till Sydleden, SydStage 21, Ystad to Snogeholm ~23,75
km. Total: ~23,75 km, level of difficulty - easy. On the way one will pass
toilets and at Raftarp there is water and a shelter. At
Raftarp one should follow the route east towards Österlenleden - not west
towards Nord till Sydleden.

ÖsterlenledenStage 11, Snogeholm to Vitabäck ~9,75km. Total: ~33,5 km, level of difficulty - easy.
On the way one will pass water and toilets, at Vitabäck there is a shelter.

Stage
10, Vitabäck to Lövestads Åsar ~14km. Total: ~47,5 km, level of difficulty - easy.
At Lövestads Åsar there is water and shelter.

Stage
9, Lövestads Åsar to Heinge ~6km.
Total: ~53,5 km, level of difficulty - easy to moderate. On the way one will pass
water and at Heinge there are toilets and shelter.

Stage
8, Heinge to Verkasjön ~9,1km. Total: ~62,6 km, level of difficulty - easy.
At Verkasjön there is a shelter.

Stage
7, Verkasjön to Vantalängan ~6,1 km.
Total: ~68,7 km, level of difficulty - moderate to difficult. On the way one will
pass toilets and at Vantalängan there is water. Do not follow stage 7B
north.

Stage
6, Vantalängan to Kivik ~15km.
Total: ~83,7 km, level of difficulty - moderate. On the way one will pass toilets
and water, at Kivik there is water and toilets.

Stage
5, Kivik to Simrishamn ~18km.
Total: ~101,7 km, level of difficulty - moderate. On the way one will pass water
and toilets, at Simrishamn there is water and toilets.

Stage
4, Simrishamn to Borrby Strandbad ~20km.
Total: ~121,7 km, level of difficulty - easy to moderate. On the way one will
pass water and toilets, at Borrby Strandbad there is water and toilets.

Stage
3, Borrby Strandbad to Löderups Strandbad ~12,1
km. Total: ~133,8 km, level of difficulty - moderate. On the way one will
pass water and toilets. Follow the short route towards the coast and back again.

Stage
2, Löderups Strandbad to Nybrostrand ~19,6 km.
Total: ~153,4 km, level of difficulty - moderate. At Nybrostrand there is water
and toilets. Do not run through Kabusa skjutfält which the army is using
as a shooting range.

Stage
1, Nybrostrand to Ystad ~7,5km.
Total: 160,9 km, level of difficulty
- easy. On the way one will pass water and toilets.

Q&A:Q: How tough is the course?A: Tough question to answer. How
fast are you running? How well are you trained? How experienced are you? Have
you run 100 miles before? Are you gonna' win or do you just want to enjoy the
ride?

Q:
What is the route like?A: Tough, beautiful and varying.

Q:
What is the trail like?A: About 30 % is running on the beach -
sometimes soft sand, sometimes hard. The other 65 % is roughly equally divided
into meadows, dirt roads, roads, asphalt, trails and wood paths. There are hills,
small ones, but quite a few.

Q: Is the route beautiful?A:
Very beautiful, even stunning in parts.

Q:
What if I get lost?A: You will - the question is for how long.

Q:
What if I get really lost?A: You won't.

Q:
Can I run on other paths than those on the course?A: No - you
will follow the route as outlined on the maps the best you can.

Q:
How do you check if runners are cheating?A: We don't. We are running
against ourselves aren't we

Q:
What is the "Rule of the Trail"?A: If you pack it in,
you can pack it out. Cheating or littering is not allowed. To help a fellow runner
in need is mandatory.

Q:
What if I have to heed the call of nature.A: Use common sense
if you do not happen to be nearby one of the many bathrooms marked on the map.

Q:
Couldn't you mark the course like just about every other race I've ever been in?
It's a pain to pause and read the map.A: gax 100 is different
than any other race you've ever run, it's long - 160.9 kilometres! It is already
well marked. Besides, having to look at the map every once in a while tends to
slow down the faster runners and give the rest of us a good walking break.

Q:
Can I get a friend to come out and give me food and drinks along the route?A:Absolutely! In fact, it would be nice if your friend were to help everyone.
Bring enough water for all the other runners he/she happens to meet on the course.

Q: Can I have a pacer?A: Certainly - bring your own.

Q:
It's a free world. What's to stop me from scouting the course before the race?A: Nothing ... in fact, I encourage you to walk or bike (as some have)
the course in training!

Q:
Can I put up an aid station?A: Please do - wherever you like.
Please make sure that all the runners get the possibility to fill up on energy
or whatever you fancy to serve (this has been done before).

Q:
Can I bring my friends and family to the finish even if they don't run or volunteer?A: Absolutely!

Q:
Do I really need to buy a map?A: Maybe - the race itself is hard
enough no to run with a bought map, then again, I and some others consider the
black and white map sufficient.

Q:
When will the official results be available?A: Past years the
results have been on the web site the same day as the race finish.

Q:
Can I wait until the last minute and join at the start?A: Why?

Q:
If I have any other questions should I read all the instructions again?A: Yes - all the information should be there. Otherwise, feel free to contact
me.

Q: Will it be fun?A: Oh yes, super fun!

HISTORY:In
early 2006 I was out running and thinking about last years TMMTR (Trans Moravian
Masochist Trail Race in the Czech Republic - my first 100 mile race) what an ultimate
and fantastic experience it was. But it would be better if it started later than
02:00, had a more generous cut off, medals to all participants, better route description,
more scenery, no repeat route and lower price - I wanted it simple, cheap and
adventureous. All of a sudden I had created the perfect race in my mind - I went
straight home and checked the maps and after a week of dreaming, thinking and
plotting I had everything planned. I was going to set up the first 100 mile race
ever in the Nordic countries and I was gonna call it the gax 100 miles!
I drew inspiration from races such as Plain
100, c2k.ultraoz.com,
Brabrandsøen
rundt, Wickham
Park and Barkley
- rather than from Western States
and Spartathlon.
Little did I know what I have gotten myself into.

Now
the real work began; set up a web page, get people to know about the race, worry
if anyone was going to show up and plan the route more carefully. By connecting
two long marked and scenic trails in Scania, southern Sweden I had by chance stumbled
upon one of the most beautiful race courses imaginable.

Race
day came and just 30 minutes before start five other pioneers came
and joined me for a long day and night (and day for some) filled with
adventure, animals, beach, woods, thirst, hills and gettin' lost.
I had sponsors, friends and a family to take care of the two aid stations
and 26 hours later a female runner reached the finish line. The next
year participants increased by 167 % (and the course record decreased
with 27 %)! After three years 21 participant out of 36 (58 % finishing
rate) have completed the whole 100 miles. But the real history started
with the Western States Endurance Run.

In
1955 a group of horsemen were debating the toughness of their mounts compared
to the legendary horses of bygone days. It was agreed that in the past, a horse
could carry a rider for 100 miles in a single day and night. Wendell Robie suggested
they attempt to replicate that feat and The Western States Trail Ride was born.
A prominent California horseman named Will Tevis was intrigued by the concept,
and donated a trophy to the event; it has been called the Tevis Cup Ride ever
since.

In
1974 a 27-year-old woodcutter named Gordon Ainsleigh came along. His
horse had foot problems and during training Ainsleigh spent most of
his time running alongside. A friend suggested that he might have
better luck if he left his horse at home. He agreed. The friend probably
wasn't serious, but Ainsleigh was.

Ainsleigh
stashed water and food along the course and lined up in his running shoes with
198 horses. He finished in 23 hours and 42 minutes. In the process of proving
horses were just as tough as they ever were, it was discovered that at least one
man was a hell of a lot tougher than anyone had imagined.

The
next year Ron Kelley decided to give it a go and ran the first 97 miles before
inexplicably walking off the course and driving home, a mere three miles short
of the finish! In 1976 Ken "Cowman" Shirk finished the race just 30
minutes over the allotted 24 hours, with Ainsleigh pacing him along the final
stretch.

Runner's
World published a short story on Ainsleigh's feat, which caught the
attention of more adventurous runners. In 1977 fourteen showed up
but only three finished the race. Andy Gonzales established a new
record of 22:57:00 passing through habitat occupied primarily by rattlesnakes,
bears and cougars, avoiding hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke,
renal failure, seizure, hypoglycemia, disorientation, total mental
and physcial exhaustion and altitude sickness. Along the route the
runners had negotiated seven major canyons on the up-and-down race
course for a total elevation drop of 7000 metres and an gain of 5000.

In
1978 Wendell Robie decided it was time to make the run a separate event from the
ride. They didn't know it at the time, but they were creating a new sport. The
running community generally accepts that year as the official genesis for the
sport of ultrarunning in the United States, and the first official 100-mile footrace
in the world.

Since
then 100 mile races dominate the running circus in USA and has spread to other
parts in the world. It is the event that decides if you can go for super long
distances and it is a wonderful, albeit tough experience. You get to travel through
a full day and night, seeing sunrise and sunset in the process, often in beautiful
nature. In a 100 mile race it is not important who wins - it is all about the
participants. As Mo Livermore of Western States folklore puts it - "Failure
is only when someone has failed to give their best effort."